I don’t think I ever mentioned last October that I received a fabulous red Circle Pot from my fabulous sister and sister-in-law. Sis had told me to expect a package and to keep my mitts off it until my birthday because it wouldn’t be wrapped. When the box arrived I took one look at the shipping label, which read Potted, Los Angeles, CA, and whooped! Potted!—a garden shop I’ve only visited online but whose planters, garden decor, and other goodies I simply drool over. I dashed an email off to my sister, probably in all caps: “You got me something from Potted!” Amused, she tapped back, “How do you even know about that place?” (She’d stumbled across their online catalog by accident.)

(Potted just announced on Facebook that their Circle Pot maker, an American ceramics company, has shut its doors. No! I hope they can find another company, preferably not overseas, to make their iconic planter.)

For Christmas Sis and sister-in-law gave me this cool Zen-style bell, which I hung from the Texas persimmon behind the house. Every time I walk by I can’t help giving it a little push to hear its deep gong.

This image represents a garden present from the garden itself—tremendous growth after 3-1/2 years. I simply adore the ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress, which was so little when I planted it. Now look at it! Don’t even warn me that it’ll get too big for the space. I simply don’t care. If you want to know about the low-growing blue plant along the path edges, it’s gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida), a heat-, drought-, and deer-tolerant favorite of mine.

And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down all day Tuesday and Wednesday, delivering a most welcome garden present of 3-3/4 inches of rain.

The stock-tank pond is brimming, plants are glistening, and I’m sure sticky-plant weeds and oak sprouts are already sending up grateful, unfurling leaves.

And last but not least, Cosmo has been a sweet gift to our family this year. He’s pretty easy on the garden as well, digging only in one spot under the deck stairs so far. What a good dog!

15 Responses

What great gifts. Sisters know what makes us happy. Sisters are a gift too. That sweet Cosmo is a gift. He looks a little perturbed with the rain. Luna always had a place where she dug. I let her have it. After all it is their garden too. Besides it didn’t matter if I filled the hole, she would just dig it out again.

Sisters are a gift too, Lisa—you are right. And I should probably let Cosmo have his digging spot, although I dislike muddy paws. —Pam

You have been truly blessed this past year. Love that Cosmos. He looks worldly. May 2013 bestow you with even more goodness.

Cosmo looks worldly? Interesting! I’ll have to study his expression today to see if I agree. Most of the time he looks like he’s desperately trying to get me to read his mind…and most of the time I can. His thoughts generally run along the lines of, “Let’s go for a walk! Let’s go for a car ride! Let’s play chase!” —Pam

Wonderful gifts and the rain is so special. We got just over 2.5″, we’ll take it. Cosmo is so cute!

I see another gift, the gift of time to make something special….in the tank pond (hint, hint)

Are you thinking of making a stock-tank pond too, Shirley? (Is that what your hint, hint means?) You should! They are so easy to set up and so enjoyable. Yes, time to work in the garden is a gift too. —Pam

I am completely in love with your pond in a water tank. I don’t think it would look right in my back yard, though. Also it is a long way from here to the nearest Farm and Fleet.

These tanks are so popular in certain areas of the country, but it doesn’t surprise me that they aren’t readily found everywhere. Sort of an acquired taste, I expect. Interestingly, I’ve also seen a number of them in gardens in the Pacific Northwest as well as Texas. —Pam

Keep an eye on Cosmo. You don’t want him to get any wider than he is now.

(I know, potentially harsh criticism, but I want the best life for him!)

It’s all too easy to indulge a hungry soulful-eyed dog. Be strong.

Oh dear! Cosmo protests, “I’m not fat. I’m fluffy!” And he’s right, or so his vet tells us. He’s actually on the low end of what the vet says he should weigh. I think you’re mistaking poodle fluff for “wideness.” —Pam

is it possible to ask Sis and sister-in-law where they found that cool Zen-style bell?

Hi, Ping. I asked, but all they can remember is that they found it at a shop somewhere in San Francisco. —Pam

Hello! I'm Pam Penick, a dirt-under-my-nails, hoping-for-rain, spiky-plant lover gardening under the Death Star in Austin, Texas (zone 8b). Here's where I share all the gardening goodness I can dig up, not just in Austin but wherever I go. Want to know more? Read Meet Pam and My Gardens. Or drop me a line and say hi.